X-ray apparatus



March 31, 1936. o". HfPlEPER X-RAY APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 'Filed Nov. 21, 1924 1113 ATTORNEY March 31, 1936. O.'H. PIEPER X-RAY APPARATUS 2 Sheet-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 21, 1924 Patented Mar. 31, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 29 Claims.

This invention relates to X-ray apparatus, such, for example, as the variety adapted for making anatomical examinations, as in dental work, one object of the invention being to provide an improved apparatus of this nature having a more convenient, compact, and effectively insulated character of construction. Another object is to provide such an apparatus comprising a. self-contained X-ray tube unit flexibly supported for universal adjustment on a convenient tube stand in which all external high tension connections for the tube unit are eliminated. Another object is to provide an apparatus of the above character comprising a tube associated directly with a transformer located in an oil filled container with high tension connections effectively insulated in the oil, while at the same time the tube is detachably secured to the container so that it may be readily removed therefrom without unsealing the container. More specifically, it is one of the objects of the invention to provide a combined tube and high tension transformer having the advantageous features pointed out above and mounted as a unit on a fully adjustable overhanging tube stand to afford universal and convenient adjustment of the tube about an object to be examined without danger of shock from the high voltage employed.

To these and other ends the invention resides in certain improvements and combinations of parts'all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the end of the specification.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an X-ray apparatus embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary elevation of the tube unit and its connection with the stand, as seen from the right in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional elevation of the tube unit;

Figure 4 is a sectional view on the line 4-4 in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic View showing the 45 electrical connections for the tube unit, and

Figure 6 is an elevation of a modified form of construction of the tube unit, partly in section.

Similar reference numerals throughout the several views indicate the same parts.

The present invention provides a self contained but readily detachable combination of X-ray tube, and high tension transformer in which the transformer and one or more of its high tension connections therebetween are immersed in oil in a contain r fo m therewith a tube unit mounted for flexible and universal adjustment on the outer end of an overhanging tube stand telescoping vertically in a portable cabinet for the electrical operating means and adapted to be positioned beside or be- 5. hind a dental chair, for example, out of the way of the operator and so that the tube can be quick ly adjusted to any position about the patients head, while all of the high tension portions of the apparatus are effectively insulated in the tube unit, thereby eliminating all possible danger to the operator or patient.

The invention is embodied in the present instance in conjunction with an X-ray tube of a well known variety illustrated generally in Figure 3, having its ray projecting portion comprising the anode target and filament located adjacent one end ID of the tube, with the anode terminal or rod H to which the high voltage is applied projecting from the opposite end thereof and with the usual low voltage terminal l2 for the filament. While other types of X-ray tubes might of course be employed and associated in various ways with the rest of the tube unit the above type of tube has been found advantageous in that it lends itself to an arrangement in which the high tension or anode terminal is positioned in the oil container and the ray projection portions located exteriorly of the container as desirable for various reasons including convenience in adjusting the same precisely to the desired operating position.

The oil container comprises preferably a main body portion [3, Figure 3, which is conveniently formed up into the desired shape from sheet metal. This body is preferably closed except at one end flanged outwardly as at M to which is bolted or otherwise secured a closure or end wall l5 of suitable insulating material on which the tube and transformer are mounted. Other insulating substances than oil may of course be employed if desired.

The tube may be mounted on the container wall I5 with its high tension terminal projecting more or less into the container as desired. It is preferred in the present instance to carry the high tension terminal of the tube well into the container substantially as shown in Figure 3, for the reason that this affords a more compact disposition and locates the high tension portions adjacent the center of the oil body. This is accomplished in the present instance by constructing the container wall IS with an inwardly extending receiving means or casing portion for the tube, or more specifically by mounting such a casing indicated at IS in an opening I! in the container wall. This casing is constructed of suitable insulating plastic material or composition as well understood in the art and is of general cylindrical shape having an open outer end flanged outwardly as at i8 and secured by screws l9 to the wall l5. The casing has a closed inner end 20 in which is threadedly inserted a metal casing 2| adapted to have the projecting end of the anode rod of the tube inserted and supported therein with the tube in the casing I6 which forms a socket for detachably supporting the tube as shown. The anode rod has a close fit in casing 2| and closely fitting the outside of the latter is a sleeve 22 carrying a plurality of radiating flanges 23 for dissipating the heat developed in the tube. It is apparent also that the anode rod or high tension terminal of the tube is in electrical contact with the metal sleeve 2| which has securedto its end a conductor 24 leading to the high tension terminal of the transformer hereafter described. To further insulate theseparts the inner end of easing It carries integral insulating sleeves 25 and 25 surrounding in spaced relation the adjacent end of the tube and the metal casing 25. Sleeve 25 is sufficiently large to permit active circulation of the oil around the heat distributing means.

The ray projecting end of the tube extending exteriorly from the outer'end of casing I6 is preferably enclosed by a two-part protective and insulating casing indicated generally at 21, the inner half of which has an extension 28, the end of which is seated as shown in the outer end of casing l6 and secured to the latter as by means of screws 29 passing through lugs 30in extension 23 andinto casing I6. Casing 21 has an extension 3| enclosing the extension of the filament portion, suitable connections for which extend through the casing. Casing 21 has also a projection extension 32 surrounding the projecting axis and closed by the usual detachable cone 33. A housing |5a covers the outside of the container end l5.

Another advantage of the above construction lies in theaccessibility of the tube which can be readily detached and removed from the container.

It is apparent from the above description that the container is provided with a wall portion of insulating material having a metal part 2| insulated from the container wall and extending therethrough for electrical contact at the outer side with the anode terminal, and .at the inner side of the container with the connection 24 to the transformer. Such construction provides for the detachable association of the tube with the external side of ap'ortion of the container wall with electrical connection through the metal part or casing 2|, without contact of thetube with the oil and so that the'tube may be detached without unsealing the container. A further advantage lies in the use of an L shaped'tube having its anode and cathode arms extending at an angle to each other, in that with the anode arm secured to the container or extending into the easing Hi, the cathode arm is compactly disposed along the wall of the container, with the ray projecting portion or axis of projection conveniently arranged for application of the tube in use. By this means also the cathode terminals are brought nearer the electrical connections with the transformer.

The transformer is best shown in Figure 3 as comprising high tension coils 34 and low tension coils 35iof the'usual orany suitable variety formed about a laminated core 36 clamped between frame members 3i having extensions 38 secured by bolts 39 on the container wall l5. One terminal of the high tension coils is connected as described by conductor 24 with the tube while the other terminal 45 is suitably grounded by connection through the container portion I3 with the stand, as more fully appears hereafter. The electrical connections are shown diagrammatically in Figure 5. It is thus apparent that the high tension terminal portions of the tube and the transformer and their connections are substantially surrounded by the oil body in the container and thus effectively insulated, thereby eliminating external high tension connections for the tube unit carried by the tube stand or otherwise as commonly found in apparatus of this kind.

In Figure 6 is shown a modified arrangement of the tube unit illustrating a possible variation in an arrangement of the same general character. In this instance the Wall l5 is formed with a smaller opening of the size adapted to receive the casing sleeve 25. This sleeve is threaded as at 4| and inserted through the opening in wall l5 with the inner end of casing I6 against the outer surface of the wall as shown, and a nut 42 on the sleeve serves to clamp casing It to the container wall.

The tube unit constructed as described is supported in a flexible manner on the outer end of an adjustable arm comprising movably connected sections and projecting in overhanging relation from an adjustable standard for supporting the tube unit for universal adjustment to any desired position about an object to be examined. In the :present instance the container i3 is supported between spaced terminal arms 63 of a member pivotally connected as at 44 with a depending arm 95 pivotally connected in turn as at 45 with one of a pair of telescopically extensible sections 47. The latter'are pivotally supported on the upper end of a standard 48 telescoping vertically in a cabinet 49 containing the rheostat switch and other electrical operating means for the apparatus. At 50 are the low tension connections from such operating means to the tube filament and transformer. This tube stand is preferably of the same construction as that described in detail in the copending application for patent of Oscar H. Pieper and Alphonse F. Pieper, Serial No. 491,903, filed August 13, 1921,

for Unitary apparatus for projecting light rays.

While the medium in the container has been referred to as preferably oil, because of'its relatively high heat conductivity and dielectric strength, it will be understood that other mediums of suitable character may be substituted, as well understood in the'art.

The invention thus provides'a compact and practical apparatus in which a tube is carried by a stand adapted to be located behind or at one side of a patient and afiording complete adjustability for the tube of a convenient and entirely flexible character with all of the high tension portions in an oil container forming 'a part of a self-contained tube unit and thus completely insulated so as to avoid all possible danger of injury to the operator or patient.

The tube is effectively cooled by the conduction away of the generated heat through the anode bar I! and the closely fitting casing 2| with its flanges 23 by which the heat is dissipated'in the oil. The. tube and the transformer in its container are each readily separated and detached from each other and the apparatus for replacement or repairs, without unsealing the container or the tube, with the result that either of these parts may be conveniently replaced at the point of use and returned individually to the manufacturer.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an X-ray apparatus, the combination of a container .having a body of insulating fluid therein, a transformer and its high tension terminal in said fluid body, and an X-ray tube having heat radiating means and a high tension terminal, and means for securing the tube to the container with its ray projecting portion located externally of the same and with said radiating means and terminal located interiorly of the container with said terminal connected to said transformer terminal.

2. In an X-ray apparatus, the combination of a container having a body of insulating fluid therein, a transformer and its high tension terminal in said fluid body, an X-ray tube having a ray projecting portion at one end thereof and heat radiating means and a high tension terminal at its other end, and means for securing the tube to the container with said ray projecting end located exteriorly thereof and said radiating means and terminal located interiorly thereof with said tube terminal connected to said transformer terminal.

3. In an X-ray apparatus, the combination of a container having a body of insulating fluid therein, a transformer and its high tension terminal in said fluid body, a casing projecting from the container wall into said fluid body and having a closed inner end and an outer end opening externally of said container and an X-ray tube in said casing having a high tension terminal located in said container and connected in said fluid body with said transformer terminal and having a ray projecting portion located exteriorly of said casing.

4. In an X-ray apparatus, the combination of a container having a body of insulating fluid therein, a transformer and its high tension terminal in said fluid body, a casing of insulating material projecting from the container wall into said fluid body, a metal casing projecting from said insulating casing into said fluid body, and an X-ray tube located in said insulating casing and having its anode terminal supported in said metal casing and connected through the latter and said fluid body with said transformer terminal.

5. In an X-ray apparatus, the combination of a container having a body of insulating fluid therein, a transformer and its high tension terminal in said fluid body, a metal casing supported on the container and projecting into said fluid body and provided with heat radiating means, and an X-ray tube having its ray projecting portion arranged exteriorly of the container and its anode terminal supported in said casing and connected through the latter and said fluid body with said transformer terminal.

6. In an X-ray apparatus, the combination of a container having a wall of insulating material, a body of insulating fluid in the container, a transformer and its high tension terminal in said fluid body, a casing of insulating material supported on said wall, a metal casing projecting from the inner end of said insulating casing into said fluid body, an X-ray tube located in said insulating casing with its anode terminal supported in said metal casing and connected through the latter and said fluid body with said transformer terminal, and insulating sleeves projecting from the end of said insulating casing in spaced relation with and surrounding said tube and metal casing, respectively.

7. In an X-ray apparatus, the combination of a container having a wall of insulating material, a body of insulating fluid in the container, a transformer mounted on said wall in the container with its high tension terminal in said fluid body, a casing of insulating material supported on said wall and projecting therethrough into said fluid body, a metal casing projecting from the end of said insulating casing in said fluid body and provided with heat radiating means, an X- ray tube enclosed in said insulating casing with its anode terminal supported in said metal casing and connected through the latter and said fluid body with said transformer terminal, and insulating sleeves projecting from the end of said insulating casing in spaced relation with and I surrounding the adjacent end of the tube and said metal casing respectively.

8. In an X-ray apparatus, the combination of a fluid container having a wall portion thereof provided with a closed receiving means for an X-ray tube unit, a transformer in said container, an X-ray tube unit detachably mounted in said receiving means externally of said container and a connection through said container between the high tension terminal of said tube unit and the transformer secondary.

9. In an X-ray apparatus, the combination of a fluid container having a wall portion thereof provided with a fluid-tight receiving means for an X-ray tube unit, a transformer in said container. an X-ray tube unit detachably mounted in said receiving means externally of the container, said receiving means and tube unit having cooperating contact means in engagement with each other and a connection through said container between the contact means of said receiving means and said transformer.

10. In an X-ray apparatus, the combination of a fluid container having an inwardly extending closed fluid-tight portion for receiving an X-ray tube unit, a transformer in said container, an X-ray tube unit detachably inserted in said inwardly extending container portion and a connection through said container between said tube unit and said transformer.

11. In an X-ray apparatus, the combination of a fluid container having an inwardly extending fluid-tight portion for receiving an X-ray tube unit, a transformer in said container, an X-ray tube unit detachably inserted in said inwardly extending container portion, said container portion being constructed of insulating material and provided adjacent its inner end with contact means for engagement with contact means on said tube unit and a connection in the container between said contact means of said container portion and the secondary of said transformer.

12. In an X-ray apparatus, the combination of a container having a body of insulating fluid therein, a transformer and its high tension terminal in said fluid body, and an X-ray tube secured to said container comprising a casing of insulating material and having its ray projecting portion arranged exteriorly of the container and its high tension anode terminal extending into said container and connected with said transformer terminal through said fluid body.

13. In an X-ray apparatus, the combination of a container having a body of insulating fluid therein, a transformer having its high tension terminal in'sai'd fluid body, and an X-ray tube secured to and insulated from the container wall with its ray projecting portion located exteriorly of the container, and its high tension anode terminal located interiorly thereof and connected with said transformer terminal through said fluid body.

14. In an X-ray apparatus, the combination of a fluid container having a wall portionthereof provided with a closed receiving means for an X-ray tubeunit, a transformer in said container, an X-ray tube unit detachably mounted in said receiving means exteriorly' of said container, a connection through said container between the high tension terminal of said tube unit and the transformer secondary, and a sleeve of insulating material on said receiving means and surrounding said connection in spaced relation therewith.

' 15. In an X-ray apparatus, the combination of a fluid container having an inwardly extending, closed, fluid-tight portion for receiving an X-ray tube unit, a transformer in said container, an X-ray tube unit detachably inserted in said inwardly extending container portion, a connection through said container between said tube unit and said transformer and a sleeve of insulating material on said container portion extending inwardly thereof in spaced relation about said tube unit and extending also into said container in spaced relation about said connection.

16. In an X-ray apparatus, the combination of a container having therein a fluid of high dielectric strength other than air, a transformer and its high tension terminal in said fluid, an X-ray tube of the'hot cathode type secured to said container with its anode terminal extending inwardly of said container and with its ray projecting portion located exteriorly thereof, and an electrical connection between said anode terminal of the tube through said fluid to a high tension terminal of said transformer.

17. In an X-ray apparatus, the combination a container having therein a fluid of high dielectric strength other than air, a transformer in said fluid, an X-ray tube secured to said container having its ray projecting portion located exteriorly of said container and its anode terminal extending inwardly thereof without contact with said fluid, and an electrical connection from said anode terminal through said fluid to a high tension terminal of said transformer.

l8. In an X-ray apparatus, the combination of acontainer having therein a fluid of high dielectric strength other than air, a transformer in said container, said container having a wall portion of insulating material provided with a metal part insulated from and extending through said wall, an X-ray tube secured to said container with its ray projecting portion located exteriorly of .said container and its anode terminal connected electrically with said metal part, and a connection from said metal part through said fluid to a high tension terminal of said transformer.

19. In an X-ray apparatus, the combination of a container having therein a fluid of high dielectric strength other than air, a transformer in said fluid, an X-ray tube having its anode and cathode arms extending transversely of each other, said anode arm having its terminal extending inwardly of the main outlines of said container through an opening in the wallthereof and said cathode arm extending along a wall of said container, with the ray projecting portion of said tube located exteriorly of the container,

supporting means for the tube operating asa closure for said opening, and an electrical connection between said anode terminal through said fluid to a high tension terminal of said transformer.

20. In an X-ray apparatus, the combination of acontainer having therein a fluid of high dielectricstrength other than air, a transformer in said fluid, said container having an inwardly extending wall portion, an X-ray tube having its anode and cathode arms extending at an angle to each other, said anode arm being received in the inwardly extending portion of said container and said cathode arm lying along a wall of said container, with the ray projecting portion of said tube located exteriorly of said container, and an electrical connection from the terminal of said anode arm through said fluid to a high tension terminal of said transformer.

21. The combination of a transformer casing provided with an opening and with a'reentrant pocket made of conductive material and extending inwardly from said opening, a high tension transformer in said casing for energizing an X- ray tube, a radiator located within said casing and. connected wit said pocket, a volume of insulating material contained in said casing and enveloping said radiator and said pocket, and an X-ray tube located outside of said casing and provided with an electrode stem extending into said pocket and into said radiator, and detachabiy mounted relatively to said pocket.

. 22. In an Y-ray apparatus, the combination of a container having an opening therein and containing fluid of high dielectric strength other than air, a transformer in said container, the X-ray tube having its anode terminal extending inwardly of the main outlines of the container and through said opening and partially surrounded by the fluid Within the container, the ray projecting portion of the tube being located exteriorly of the container, means forming a closure for said opening, and an electrical connection for said anode portion extending through said fluid to the high tension terminal of said transformer.

23. In an electron discharge apparatus, the combination of a contain r provided with a source of high potential electrical energy therein, an insulating and cooling medium enveloping said high potential source, an electron discharge tube formed at-least in part of a vitreous hermetically sealed evacuated envelope having a filamentary cathode and an anode connected to and adapted to be energized by said high potential source, and

means for supporting said discharge tube by said container with a portion of the tube disposed exteriorly of the container and the remaining portion thereof extending inwardly of the container through an opening 'in' the wall thereof, said supporting means operating to close said opening to prevent escape of the insulating and cooling medium therethrough.

24. In an X-ray apparatus, the combination of a container provided with a source of high 'potential electrical energy therein, an insulating and cooling medium enveloping said high potential source, an X-ray tube formed at least in part of a vitreous hermetically sealed evacuated envelope having a filamentary cathode and an anode 0on nected to and adapted to be energized by said high potential source, the ray projecting portion of said tubebe-ing disposed exteriorly of said container and said anode being extended inwardly of the main outlines of the container so as to be partially surrounded by said cooling medium.

25. In an electron discharge apparatus, the combination of a container provided with a source of high potential electrical energy therein, an insulating and cooling medium enveloping said high potential source, an electron discharge tube having an hermetically sealed evacuated envelope provided with a filamentary cathode and an anode connected to and adapted to be energized by said high potential source, the ray projecting portion of said tube being disposed exteriorly of the container and said anode extending Within the main outlines of the container so as to be partially surrounded by said cooling medium, and heat dissipating means for said anode disposed interiorly of the container and immersed in the insulating and cooling medium.

26. In an X-ray apparatus, the combination of a container provided with a source of high potential electrical energy therein, an insulating and cooling fluid enveloping said high potential source, an X-ray tube energizable by said high potential source and having an hermetically sealed evacuated envelope provided with an anode and a filamentary cathode therein, said anode projecting inwardly of the main outlines of the container so as to be partially surrounded by said fluid and heat dissipating means for said anode disposed within the fluid oi the container.

27. An X-ray tube housing comprising a chamber composed of dielectric material, a socket secured to said chamber, said socket being adapted to receive the anode terminal of an X-ray tube, a radiator secured to said socket and extending outwardly from said chamber, and a dielectric wall united to a wall of said chamber in the proximity of said socket and extending from said wall said dielectric wall being located within said chamber.

28. An X-ray tube housing comprising a dielectric chamber having a base and a side wall, a socket secured to said base and forming an oil tight seal with said base, a radiator secured to said socket and extending outwardly from said base, and a dielectric wall secured to said base and forming an annulus with the side wall of said chamber.

29. An X-ray tube housing comprising a chamber composed of dielectric material, a socket secured to said chamber, said socket being adapted to receive the anode terminal of an X-ray tube, a radiator secured to said socket and extending outwardly from said chamber, and a plurality of dielectric walls united to a wall of said chamber in the proximity of said socket and extending from said wall, at least one of said dielectric walls being located within said chamber.

OSCAR H. PIEPER. 

